Map: Ontario and Quebec Have Swung from Dry to Wet

Jul 12, 2023

After an abnormally dry spring, Ontario and Quebec have received significant precipitation over the past 30 days. Although the rain was welcome when it began in early June, some farmers are now wondering if they are getting too much of a good thing!

As can be seen on the map below, almost all the major cropping regions of Ontario and Quebec have received above-average rainfall over the past 30 days. Some areas around Windsor, north of Toronto and around Montreal have gotten twice as much rain as normal.

Although the precipitation has helped to recharge soil moisture levels, it has already created some concern about fungal diseases in soybeans, according to last week’s crop update from OMAFRA. There are reports of some fields of corn and wheat getting excessive rain as well.

For farmers watching their winter wheat ripen, a window of drier weather for harvest would be welcome soon. That currently seems unlikely though, with the 14-day weather forecast allowing for regular rains.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.